Tangalle, Lanka's first ever Healthy City

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Tangalle will be developed as the first ever `Healthy City' in Sri Lanka, Health Deputy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

After assuming duties at his office yesterday, Amaraweera said Tangalle is the smallest city in the country and Sri Lanka's first ever dengue patient was discovered from Tangalle.

According to the Deputy Minister, water and electricity have been provided to almost all houses within Tangalle city.

Eighty-two percent of houses have pipe borne drinking water facilities. Tangalle was selected to develop as the first `Healthy City' in Sri Lanka because of its uniqueness, he said. The Tangalle hospital is managed by the Southern Provincial Council at present.

Arrangements will be made for this hospital to be taken over by the Central Government and develop it with the coordination of the Provincial Council, the Deputy Minister added.